president obama is warning that a political deadlock over the nation's debt ceiling could damage the u.s. economy and beyond. it's estimated without the deal the government could run out of money to pail its bills as early as mid-february. the president said the idea of refusing to raise the debt ceiling is irresponsible and absurd. >> republicans in congress have two choices here. they can act responsibly and pay america's bills are act irresponsibly and put america through another economic crisis. but they will not collect a ransom for not crashing the american economy. >> shep: they say they won't support raising the debt limit and there a battle line. the debt ceiling is the maximum amount of money that the united states can borrow. the law requires congress to control and authorize any money needed to pay for federal programs. debt ceiling was introduced way back in world war one. it was meant to give the treasury department more spending at that time. wendall goler, the president seemed that he was willing to call the republicans' bluff on this thing. >> he won't collect ransom